Labornet Japan is a network of citizens, unionists, activists, scholars and others from all walks of life to share information especially about rights and struggles in and outside of Japan. Established in 2001, the group now has more than 500 members, and the membership is growing. The English site introduces some reports shared on Labornet Japan website and other sources outside of Japan.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Victory for the homeless: Lawsuit for state compensation against their eviction from Miyashita Park, central Tokyo

On March 13, 2015, a decision was made by
the Tokyo District Court on the demand for state compensation against the eviction
of the homeless from Miyashita Park in the Shibuya district, Tokyo.

Nike acquired naming rights for the
formerly public park and has excluded the homeless and poor people from the
park ever since. The decision also referred to illegality of the major
manufacturer of sports equipment.

The court suggested the following four
points as being illegal.

1. The plan to change the park has not been
approved by the Shibuya Ward Assembly.

2. The plan has not been subjected to
competitive bidding.

3. The homeless who had to live in the park
were evicted in an unacceptably forcible manner.

4. An opportunity to explain against the
eviction has not been given with regard to the procedure to administrative
subrogation.

The court approved a compensation of
110,000 Japanese yen (900 US dollars) for the homeless.

YAMAMOTO Shizu, attorney for the
plaintiffs, says, “It is particularly important that the court referred to illegality
of not only the forcible eviction but also Nike’s acquisition of Miyashita
Park. Now, a big real estate company starts to take initiative to develop the
park into ‘New Miyashita Park’, but this decision possibly works as a brake
against the move”.

Shibuya Ward Office says, “We will examine
the contents of the decision and take action appropriately”. (KUISAKO Ryuta
)